What started out as a fun side-project for Sevendust guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby, Alter Bridge/Creed drummer Scott Phillips, and Tremonti Project/Creed guitarist Eric Friedman has become PROJECTED. The band’s debut album, HUMAN, will be released September 18 on Connolly’s own Yaya Papu LLC. label. Produced by Connolly and Elvis Baskette (Alter Bridge, Puddle Of Mudd), the majority of the album’s music and vocals were recorded at Studio 1119, Connolly’s studio in his home office (“when it’s not being used by his wife to pay the bills or his daughter to play Webkins,” he jokes).

You can check out the audio clip “Watch it Burn” below.

For HUMAN’s artwork, PROJECTED reached out to their fans on Facebook to submit their original concepts. The winner’s design graces the final album cover, while 16 runner-ups will have their artwork included in the CD case and on the back cover. One “Wild Card” winning submission will be seen under the disc inside the case. All finalists are receiving a “Top Tier Bundle” music and merchandise package, which includes the CD, T-shirt, autographed poster, sticker, and lifetime VIP laminate, all of which will arrive two weeks before the album is released. All of the submitted artwork can be seen on the band’s website (www.projectedband.com).

“The idea behind this project originally started as nothing more than a group of us who were friends already, going into the studio to just record some tunes we had laying around and basically just have a good time with it,” explains Connolly. “No pressure from labels or any pre-conceived notions or expectations. Just making music and having a good time. HUMAN is the end result of us working without deadlines or budget constraints…or a budget at all.”

“John, Vinny, Eric, and I have shared many miles and many stages together over previous years,” explains Scott Phillips. “We’ve always talked about collaborating and now it’s finally come to fruition. I might possibly be one of the biggest Sevendust fans ever, and to get the opportunity to work with a few of my favorite musicians on the planet, and some of my best friends, means the world to me. We wholeheartedly believe in these songs…believe in John’s vision…and couldn’t be happier about the future of Projected!”

As Vince Hornsby continues, “I’m grateful for the opportunity that I was given to work on this project with John, Scott and Eric. They are great friends and talented musicians. I look forward to getting all the songs out there for everyone to hear and excited about what the future holds.”

And Eric Friedman concludes, “Just a buncha bros doin’ what we love!”

Throughout the album, PROJECTED serves up a healthy dose of the heavy with songs such as, “Alive” and “Breaking Me.” The listener can’t help but hear the Sevendust influences in “Alive,” with Hornsby providing the down-tuned bass tones while Friedman gives the song originality with eccentric guitar riffs. And on “Bring You Back,” Sevendust singer Lajon Witherspoon makes a special appearance on vocals.

“12804” is one of the more personal and emotional songs on the album. To Connolly, this is one of the most prominent tracks due to the lyrical content, which pays tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell, whose life was tragically taken on December 8, 2004. In “12804,” the listener can hear the sorrow in Connolly’s voice and lyrics as he sings: “Somewhere there’s another all in for the other…Two can breathe forever…Nowhere there’s another life into the after…Two can live forever.”

After listening to HUMAN, it’s easy to see and hear that this is just not another supergroup. It is a new band of musicians that have used their talents from being in other well-known bands to create an album that is unique and all of their own. From the opening intro track to the last song, “Breaking Me,” PROJECTED solidifies their presence as a band that has not only created an exuberant album, but as a band with individuals that have come full circle as truly talented and memorable musicians for years to come.

Here’s the complete track listing of HUMAN:

Into
HELLo
Watch It Burn
So Low
Bring You Back
12804
Alive
The Crown
Stella
Closure
Breaking Me